First BCD396XT Has arrived, first look and discussion!

[JohnRKing]

There are three different resources that are usually on the CD that's included with the radio. Those resources are the Reference Manual, the User's Guide, and the Owner's Manual. I have the first two for my 396XT but the Owner's Manual was not included.
Likewise, Although I can find the Owner's Manual for most other scanners at Uniden's website, the owner's manual for the bcd396xt has not yet appeared.
Has anyone else who has already received their new 396xt found the Owner's Manual (not the User's Guide and not the Reference Manual) on the CD?
Thank you.

Bruce

go to www.info.uniden.com log on BCD396XT.

 

[BigC801]

The I-Call Option is no longer available in the Menu. To program I-Call, program a Group and add .i00000 as a Channel. Set a GQK to have the ability to enable or disable.

HTHs

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter

Thanks, it was real easy on the 396 to turn Icall on off or only, now they go and make it a pain.

 

[DaveIN]

On saving a quick key for iCall in your scanlist, I found you only need to press ".0" in decimal, "." in HEX and "E" to enter.

 

[DaveIN]

go to www.info.uniden.com log on BCD396XT.

Or to get the PDF version: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/1035756-post53.html

 

[DaveIN]

Thanks, it was real easy on the 396 to turn Icall on off or only, now they go and make it a pain.

Now just use L/O temporary, or permanent, or put it in it's own group and use a quick key to turn it on and off. Even more options :roll:

 

[andy404ns]

Has there been any news lately from Uniden regarding the release of UASD for the 396xt? Paul - are you planning on making a new thread when the software is released?

 

[UPMan]

UASD is still pending. I'll almost certainly start it in its own thread when available, but will post here, too so that thread subscribers will be notified.

 

[andy404ns]

Thanks for the update Paul.

 

[AZScanner]

So no one in Phoenix has one yet?

Seriously, I'd like to know if there's hope for us poor souls who have to endure the RWC system. I'd love to get one, but there's no sense in doing so if the RWC still sounds like crap - I'd do just as well to get a used 396 instead and save some $$$.

-AZ

 

[rvictor]

Well it appears that my 396XT "audio popping" problem is unique to my NCS3230 console. This morning I ran it in the truck with a Radio Shack amplified speaker and there was not a problem.

It puts out enough audio to run it in my radio room without going through the console, so I'll just run it that way instead.

I just got mine today and am hearing the same thing when I run the audio through my computer audio system. If you find an answer, I'd appreciate knowing what you found. I'll do the same.

Thanks.

Dick

 

[W6KRU]

I just got mine today and am hearing the same thing when I run the audio through my computer audio system. If you find an answer, I'd appreciate knowing what you found. I'll do the same.

Thanks.

Dick

The way I understand it, the popping is due to the audio amp being turned off and on. The amp is turned off when the radio is not receiving a signal. This is done as a batt. conservation measure. No point running the audio amp when there is nothing to amplify. You can play with the AGC settings and it might get a little better.

 

[ems170]

Is the threshold level completely automatic now? I can not seem to find a way to adjust the baseline value for the radio to start at. I just programed a system that has a best decode at 11 the sites are set at 8. Will the radio adjust itself and then save 11 as a starting point?

 

[DaveIN]

Yes, P25 is automatic now. Nothing to change.
Let us know how well it works for you. Keep in mind, if you are monitoring a mixed-mode system, you can use the digital only setting on your saved P25 talkgroups by editing the channel in the group.

 

[frankcastle]

Is there a way to program names when someones keys up? I would love to have the officers name appear on the screen rather than just what channel I'm on. I know that each digital radio has a unique ID. I work in law enforcement, and each time I key up my XTS2500i, the dispatchers see my name on their console. BTW I love me new 396XT

 

[DaveIN]

Is there a way to program names when someones keys up? I would love to have the officers name appear on the screen rather than just what channel I'm on. I know that each digital radio has a unique ID. I work in law enforcement, and each time I key up my XTS2500i, the dispatchers see my name on their console. BTW I love me new 396XT

Not yet, but if enough public safety professionals like you, and scanner nuts like me keep bugging Uniden, I'm sure it will happen :twisted:

 

[scannersnstuff]

finally got mine today.in the 2 short hour's i've played around with it,i'm pretty darn happy.the sensitivity seem's somewhat improved over the 396t using the stock antenna.the audio sound's clear and pretty loud.i had it setup for fire tone out search in about 2 minute's.work's like a charm.1 minor dislike.why the heck did uniden change the clear coat key's from the bcd396t/br330t to rubber key's ?.with the clear coat's you can see the backlight thru them.even with the radioshack pro-137 <made by uniden> you could see thru the rubber key's because they are white.more to come.

 

[DaveIN]

Early 396 classics had a keypad wear problem as I recall. Maybe that could have been one of the reasons?

Good to hear your off and running out of the box. Don't forget to vote on the perfomance poll when you get a good understanding of the radio.
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/uniden-scanners/140449-bcd396xt-performance-poll.html

 

[Ronaldski]

1- So the unit uses the 3 battery setup as in the BCD396T evidently?

2- My county uses analog and I put the Pd, fire, coast guard as priority channels. With the BCD396T while it is scanning any ltr/trunked system it does not check those analog priority channels for activity .Only if it is scanning another analog system will it do a check for priority channels for activity.
Now on the other hand the BCD996T does check priority channels for activity while scanning an ltr/trunked system.
So does this new radio monitor analog priority channels for activity while scanning an ltr/trunked system?

3- Seeing in the manual I saw online, is that they made some changes to the charging of batteries.
When you unplug it and then replug it in does it by default want to got to recharge the batteries all over again or do you have to manually have to in the menu tell it how long of a charge?

4- any indications that supplied batteries are similair to the elcheapo type as were supplied with the BCD396T?

 

[DaveIN]

1- So the unit uses the 3 battery setup as in the BCD396T evidently?

Yes, still three.
BCD396XT < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

2- My county uses analog and I put the Pd, fire, coast guard as priority channels. With the BCD396T while it is scanning any ltr/trunked system it does not check those analog priority channels for activity .Only if it is scanning another analog system will it do a check for priority channels for activity.
Now on the other hand the BCD996T does check priority channels for activity while scanning an ltr/trunked system.
So does this new radio monitor analog priority channels for activity while scanning an ltr/trunked system?

Yes, it will check for priority when trunk scanning.
PriorityScan < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

3- Seeing in the manual I saw online, is that they made some changes to the charging of batteries.
When you unplug it and then replug it in does it by default want to got to recharge the batteries all over again or do you have to manually have to in the menu tell it how long of a charge?

Yes, it will restart the battery charging cycle if you disconnect, and reconnect external power.
Settings < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

4- any indications that supplied batteries are similair to the elcheapo type as were supplied with the BCD396T?

El-cheapo it is. Not bad, 2250mAh GP industrial. About ~8 hours with backlight use, scan, Close Call Do Not Disturb, Priority, and battery save. :lol:

 

[K5RYA]

Man, scannermaster screwed up my address on my package. Now UPS has delayed it.